E-book sale: $2.99 each for All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes, The House That Love Built, Betting on Hope, and Seaside Letters

(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

$2.99 for the e-book of All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

Synopsis

At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.

But when Lucas Brannen, Kat s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.

As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself her is suddenly in danger of slipping away.

The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat s senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.

 

$2.99 for the e-book of The House That Love Built by Beth Wiseman

Synopsis

In the small town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising six-year-old Meghan and ten-year-old Spencer on her own two years after her husband's death. Being a single-mom and running the family's local hardware store keep her busy.

While Meghan longs for a daddy, Spencer has threatened to run away if Brooke even goes out on a date. But the last thing on Brooke's mind is falling in love. When a stranger moves to town and buys a house with a mysterious past, Brooke can't contain her curiosity. As she spends time with the new owner, she wonders if maybe God is giving her another chance at happiness.

Owen Saunders fled the big city to start over in a small, rural town famous for baking the world's largest gingerbread man. Then he bought an old house to restore-for all the wrong reasons. If anything needs restoration, it is Owen's heart in the aftermath of his failed marriage. With little hope and lost faith, Owen is tempted by happiness when he meets Brooke, but his heart remains sealed shut.
As they learn more about Owen's house, one thing becomes obvious to both of them: God has put them together for a reason.

 

$2.99 for the e-book of Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

Synopsis

Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it's beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie's bosses know this is the opportunity she's been looking for to launch her career--and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat.

Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he'd like, but he knows it's the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru's fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do--for her own good.

In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart's desires.

 

$2.99 for the e-book of Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter

Synopsis

Sabrina never intended to fall in love with Tucker McCabe, the man she serves coffee to every morning at a Nantucket cafe--especially since he's unwittingly tied to a past she deeply regrets. But she's fallen hard, though she's kept her feelings a secret.

When Tucker learns Sabrina is the research assistant for a local mystery writer, he asks Sabrina to help him with a little sleuthing of his own...locating an elusive woman he's fallen for online.
 
If Sabrina accepts the job, she'll spend her evenings in close proximity to a man who can never be hers. If she turns him down, he'll hire someone else--and that would be a disaster. Because if someone else sifts through all those letters and finds out the truth, Tucker will discover her secret...
That the person he's trying to find is her. 

E-book sale: 99 cents each for Five Days in Skye and An Honest Heart

(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

99 cents for the e-book of Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano

Synopsis

Hospitality consultant Andrea Sullivan has one last chance to snag a high-profile client or she'll have to kiss her dreams of promotion good-bye. When she's sent to meet Scottish celebrity chef James MacDonald on the Isle of Skye, she just wants to finish her work as efficiently as possible. Yet her client is not the opportunistic womanizer he portrays himself to be, and her attraction to him soon dredges up memories she'd rather leave buried. For James, renovating the family hotel is a fulfillment of his late father's dreams. When his hired consultant turns out to be beautiful, intelligent, and completely unimpressed by his public persona, he makes it his mission to win her over. He just never expects to fall under her spell.

Soon, both Andrea and James must face the reality that God may have a far different purpose for their lives—and that five days in Skye will forever change their outlook on life and love.

99 cents for the e-book of An Honest Heart by Kaye Dacus

Synopsis

Dr. Neal Stradbroke has a secret past that could destroy everything he’s worked since childhood to build. But when he falls in love with the daughter of one of his patients, he must choose between revealing his past and risk losing everything or keeping his secret and watching her marry another man.

Cadence “Caddy” Bainbridge has worked hard as a seamstress since her vicar father died, and for a while, things went well. But then her mother fell ill. Now, most of Caddy’s earnings go for doctors, medicines, and trips to the seaside trying to get her mother better. The last thing she needs is a romantic entanglement—but she finds herself torn between two men: Oliver Carmichael, whose wealth could give Caddy’s mother the life of ease she deserves; and Neal Stradbroke, for whom her heart yearns.

Oliver Carmichael has always drawn the eye of all the girls with no exertion on his part—all the girls, that is, except seamstress Caddy Bainbridge. So, even though he has plans to marry Edith Buchanan, he places a bet with his friends that he can make Caddy fall in love with him before the opening day of the Great Exhibition. Edith Buchanan has been disappointed in marriage prospects already, so she is not about to lose another suitor to a woman of lower social status—especially not her own dressmaker!—so she spreads rumors about Caddy that could not only ruin Caddy’s business but cause Caddy’s mother to have a fatal relapse.
 

Free e-book! With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

Download the e-book of With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin for free!

(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

Synopsis

Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to beginning her training as a flight nurse. She is not looking forward to writing a letter to a man she's never met--even if it is anonymous and part of a morale-building program. Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa, welcomes the idea of an anonymous correspondence--he's been trying to escape his infamous name for years.

As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other's true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?

Combining a flair for romance with excellent research and attention to detail, Sarah Sundin vividly brings to life the perilous challenges of WWII aviation, nursing--and true love.

E-book sale: 99 cents for Eve: In the Beginning by H.B. Moore

Get the e-book of Eve: In the Beginning by H.B. Moore for only 99 cents! 

This is a fascinating perspective and I gave it 5 stars. 

You can read my review here.

(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

Synopsis

The first love story on earth... Haunting... Lyrical... Unforgettable...

In a world where everything is perfect, yet the same day after day, Eve must decide if she wants to live forever in the garden with Adam and never know what lies beyond the walls. When she makes a choice with terrible consequences, the pain of mortality is swift. As she and Adam explore their new world, and her body changes, Eve discovers the sweetness of first love with the man who has always been at her side.

E-book sale: $1.99 for Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden

Only $1.99 for the e-book of Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden! 

I loved this book and gave it 5 stars- read my review here.

(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

Synopsis

Anna O'Brien leads a predictable and quiet life as a map librarian at the illustrious Library of Congress until she stumbles across a baffling mystery of a ship disappeared at sea. She is thwarted in her attempts to uncover information, but her determination outweighs her shyness and she turns to a dashing congressman for help.

Luke Callahan was one of the nation's most powerful congressmen until his promising career became shadowed in scandal. Eager to share in a new cause and intrigued by the winsome librarian, he joins forces with Anna to solve the mystery of the lost ship.

Opposites in every way, Anna and Luke are unexpectedly drawn to each other despite the strict rules forbidding Anna from any romantic entanglement with a member of Congress.

From the gilded halls of the Capitol, where powerful men shape the future of the nation, to the scholarly archives of the nation's finest library, Anna and Luke are soon embroiled in secrets much bigger and more perilous than they ever imagined. Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they've ever dreamed for themselves?

Review: A Bouquet of Love by Janice Thompson

My rating: 2 stars / It was okay

Synopsis

Cassia Pappas has found herself in a nearly impossible situation. She wants to spend her time immersed in her new job at a Galveston Island floral shop, arranging blooms and brightening occasions with her lovely creations. But her huge Greek family–especially her father–has other ideas. They’ve all relocated to Galveston to open up a new family restaurant location on the Strand– directly across the street from the Rossis’ popular pizza place–and they want Cassia’s full participation.
To make matters worse, as Cassia is trying to develop a strong professional relationship with Galveston’s premier wedding coordinator, Bella Neeley, her own father is intent on stealing all of the Rossi family’s faithful customers. Not exactly the best way to get into Bella’s good graces!
Still, at least Alex, that hot delivery guy from the nursery, is always hanging around the flower shop...

My Review

This was a cute and funny story, but waaaay too chick-lit for me. Written in first person perspective from Cassia's POV, her love interest Alex played second string to a host of other characters, mainly her gruff and stubborn father who alienates his family and neighbors. Definitely reminded me of the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding. By the end of the book the story was focused 100% on Cassia's father and the family's passive-aggressive attempts at changing his competitive mindset. I ended up doing quite a bit of skimming, trying to find a continuation of the storylines involving the flower shop and romance, but they were only referenced briefly. The ending was incredibly cheesy but I suppose it would work in a romantic comedy. I guess this author's style just isn't for me.

(Thank you to Revell Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: A Brush With Love by Rachel Hauck

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Revealing the beauty in other women might be Ginger Winters’s specialty—but it will take an unexpected kind of love to help Ginger see the beauty in herself.
Ginger Winters drapes her hair over her right shoulder and adjusts the scarf around her neck to cover her scarred, withered skin. She’s had the scars since she was twelve, but she’ll never get used to the ugliness.
The fire changed Ginger’s life, but out of the pain and humiliation of her own disfigurement, one quality unexpectedly emerged: a gift for bringing out the beauty in other women. In a twelve-year ascent from top salon jobs in New York, Atlanta, and Nashville, Ginger traveled the world as personal stylist to country music sensation Tracie Blue. The success was almost enough to make her forget her own appearance.
Almost. Now that she’s opened her own salon in Rosebud after a dozen years away, the truth is staring Ginger in the face again: she’s still that girl, ugly and scarred, forever on the outside looking in. And this weekend she’ll be looking in as “beauty-maker” for the Alabama society wedding of the decade.
But when high-school crush Tom Wells shows up looking for a haircut, Ginger’s thinly veiled insecurities threaten to keep her from love once again . . . despite Tom’s best efforts. Can this professional beauty-maker manage to recognize the beauty in herself, or are some scars too deep to powder over?

My Review

I loved how this book started out- such an interesting plot with dynamic characters, but as Ginger keeps on angsting and playing the victim, as well as not giving Tom a chance, the flow stalled for me since there was not much progression happening. Tom's religious and preachy conversations with a mentor also slowed the pacing down. Tom and Ginger had some nice moments together, but Ginger retreats back into her defensive shell so quickly that it was hard to savor. She didn't allow herself to believe that she was worthy of his attention, and her never-ending doubts put a real damper on things. Her perspective on beauty and confidence is skewed by her past trauma but also the tactless and shallow comments by her mother from the time of the accident to present day. It's only once Ginger finds happiness that her mother is able to see the true beauty in her daughter. I was disappointed that the full romance between Tom and Ginger was left out at the end of the story and the epilogue jumped forward to the "happily ever after."

(Thank you to Zondervan Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: The Healthy Family Slow Cooker Cookbook by Christina Dymock

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Feed your family the foods they love—with a healthy twist.
Everyone knows slow cookers are a busy mom’s best friend, but it can be a struggle to find healthy Crock Pot recipes your kids will actually eat. Not anymore.
These delicious family-sized meals are perfect for parents and kids alike.

• Chicken and Artichoke Fettucini
• Teriyaki Pulled Pork
• Cajun Rice with Shrimp
• Butternut Squash Soup
• Chicken Quesadillas

You’ll even find some tasty ideas for sugar-free desserts, like the Blueberry Pudding Cake. And every single recipe can be made in the morning and ready to eat by dinnertime. With a little prep and planning, you’ll soon be enjoying nutritious, healthy, home-cooked meals every night of the week!

My Review

I really need to use my slow cooker more, especially now that we are in the hot summer months and turning on the oven seems like a crime :) I was super excited to read this book since a few months ago I started "eating clean" and I'm loving the benefits of a healthy diet. The author starts out with a few pages of the health benefits of slow cooking, slow cooker basics, and how to care for your slow cooker. The recipes are them divided up into six sections: Poultry, Pork, Beef, Soup & Salad, Sides, and Sweet Endings. The recipes are right up my alley- basic, easy, with no fussy ingredients (you know, those hard to find gourmet ingredients that I often have to look up on the internet just to figure out what they are...) There is a definite use of spices and seasonings which I appreciate since I'm not great at knowing which ones to use (or how much) so my food doesn't taste bland. Every single recipe in this book is one that I would feel comfortable making and feeding to my family. Not kidding. I've never experienced that before with a cookbook. I highly recommend it for individuals and families alike! My only complaint is the quality of the images. It's obvious that a professional food photographer was not used since the color, lighting, and sometimes even the focus was off. Of course, as a photographer that's just me being nit-picky. Don't let that prevent you from buying this book!

(Thank you to Cedar Fort Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

About the author

Christina Dymock is a graduate of the University of Utah. She has had careers as an editor at an advertising agency, an adjunct instructor at Salt Lake Community College, and author.

An avid cook, Christina divides her time between the kitchen, her computer, and books and her family of six. (Naturally, the family gets the biggest share.) Because she reads everything, she also feels compelled to write in several genres. Her latest book, Blue Christmas, reached the Amazon top seller list in 7 categories as part of the Christmas anthology, Christmas in Snow Valley.

Christina attends multiple writer’s conferences each year, is a part of several critique groups, and enjoys learning about writing. She has been featured during the cooking segment of several local morning shows, published in Woman’s World Magazine and the Deseret News, quoted in Womans’ World Magazine and Parents’ Magazine, published in seven Chicken Soup books, and has published clean romantic fiction under the name Lucy McConnell.

https://christinadymock.wordpress.com/

“The Healthy Family Slow Cooker Cookbook” blog tour

June 10: My Book A Day • connywithay • Bookhounds • Queen of the Clan
June 11: Wakela’s World • the reading fever • Wordpaintings Unlimited
June 12: Bookworm Lisa • Christy Monson Books
June 13: Keenly Kristen
June 14: Musing of a Middle Aged Author
June 15: Every Free Chance Books • Kaisy Daisy’s Corner
June 16: Katie’s Clean Book Collection • The Hand That Rocks the Cradle • The Author’s Hideaway
June 17: The Magical Slow Cooker • Crossroads Reviews • So I am Fifty
June 18: readalot • A.L. Sowards • UtahDealDiva
June 19: Reidhead Random-ness • Fire and Ice
June 20: Wishful Endings • Kimberley Griffiths Little • Heidi Reads…

Review & $25 Amazon Giveaway: Kisses in the Rain by Krista Lynne Jensen

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Georgie Tate is a survivor. She's survived an abusive relationship. She's survived the car accident that took the life of her controlling fiance. Now she just needs to survive the memories that haunt her. Escaping to her aunts' cozy home on a tiny island outside of Seattle, Georgie finds just the change of pace she needs to pick up the pieces of her life. Taking a job at a local seafood restaurant is the first step in reclaiming her sense of self, but she is completely unprepared for the battle that awaits her there.

Jace Lowe has loved and lost, and he's determined that it will never happen again. Hardened by heartbreak, he stays focused on his work as sous chef at one of the island's top seafood restaurants. When beautiful Georgie takes her place on the restaurant staff, Jace is resolved to keep her at arm's length, and his downright rudeness her first week goes a long way in achieving that goal. Georgie, on the other hand, doesn't want anything to do with Jace anyway and prickles against his abrasive behavior. As the combative pair comes together on a joint project for the restaurant, they find their distaste for one another dwindling. The connection is undeniable--and it terrifies them both. Can two people jaded by the past be softened by the promise of once-in-a-lifetime love, or is this just another recipe for disaster?

My Review

I love that this book made me feel the emotions of the characters! Not only Georgie and Jace, but even the minor characters were portrayed in such a skillful way that it was so easy to put myself in their shoes. The setting is evocative with the weather, locations, and travel giving the scenes a definite vibe. I especially enjoyed the fast pace and intensity of the interactions in the restaurant kitchen. It provides a contrast to the slower scenes and creates a nice flow throughout the story. The friendship and subsequent chemistry between Georgie and Jace builds slowly but steadily as they move past first impressions and bring light into each others' worlds.

I was drawn to Georgie's struggles with overcoming depression, sifting through painful memories, finding her true self again, and trusting new friends and people in her life. Her quirky-clever sense of humor, often self-deprecating, balances the heaviness of her introspection and also creates fun banter with Jace since he never knows what she is going to say :) Oh yeah, and I had to wipe away some tears at one point... and that afterglow feeling after finishing the book was wonderful!

The characters in this book are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There are some brief references specific to Mormons, but the overall themes are universal to all Christians and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.

(Thank you to Covenant Communications for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

June 15th
I Love to Read and Review Books
Wishful Endings
Mel's Shelves

June 16th
Getting Your Read On
Heidi Reads...
Rockin' Book Reviews

June 17th
Min Reads and Reviews
My Book a Day
Katie's Clean Book Collection
Bloggin' About Books

June 18th
Bookworm Lisa
LDS and Lovin' It
Rachelle Writes
Bonnie Gets a Say

June 19th
Little Light Design Collective
Literary Time Out

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Review: A Timeless Romance Anthology: California Dreamin' Collection by Heather B. Moore, Kaylee Baldwin, Annette Lyon, Jennifer Moore, Shannon Guymon, Sarah M. Eden

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

In the sweet novella TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE by Heather B. Moore, Gwen uses her wedding photography business to keep her life simple and focus on something other than her own broken heart. When Jack, a guy too handsome for his own good, helps her clean up after a photoshoot, then asks her out, she doesn’t know if she can handle dating again. But Jack’s charm wins her over, and she agrees to meet him for dinner. The more she gets to know Jack, the more she likes him, but everything about him seems too good to be true.

GONE FISHING, a charming novella by Kaylee Baldwin, follows Claire as she tries to convince her dad to leave his start-up company as a boat guide and come back home to Colorado. He’s the only one who can defend Claire against her domineering mother. But when she arrives at the San Diego harbor, she’s met with more than one surprise. First, that her dad is truly living his dream and has never been happier, and second, she’s unexpectedly attracted to his business partner, Miguel.

In THE PIER CHANGES EVERYTHING, an enchanting novella by Annette Lyon, Alexandria has one last task to perform for her late husband, who died much too young: scatter his ashes in the Pacific Ocean. She goes to the Santa Monica Pier to do just that, but her plans get sidetracked after meeting Michael and feeling an immediate connection to him. They grab lunch, and the more time they spend together, the more they discover that they have in common—including past romantic hardships. As the day wears on, Alexandria begins learn that her heart just might be able to find love again.

In Jennifer Moore’s captivating novella A HERO’S SONG, AnneMarie’s career as a romance novelist is skyrocketing and her agent books her on a late night talk show. The host gets her to admit that she was in love once, with a guitar player. Moments after her segment, Lance Holden appears on the same stage, to perform his newest song. Is it a terrible coincidence? AnneMarie hasn’t seen Lance ever since he broke her heart ten years ago, and she has refused to think about him again. Their lives are worlds apart, but as Lance tries to reconcile with AnneMarie, she finds herself taking a second chance.

In STAY WITH ME, an endearing novella by Shannon Guymon, Jolie moves to L.A. to take on a nanny position for the summer, since apparently having a degree in art doesn’t translate to getting a job as a graphic designer. When Fitz, the family’s chauffeur, picks her up at the airport, she wonders if every man in LA is model-gorgeous. When Jolie meets her two charges, she finds them adorable and needy. But it’s harder to hold onto her job than she thought with a hostile Mrs. James and her spoiled brother. Fitz becomes both the silver lining of her job and the man who just might convince her to stay in L.A.

In the delightful novella, A PLACE TO CALL HOME, by Sarah M. Eden, Ada is the best realtor around. The best. She prides herself in matching each client with the house that will fit all of their needs. She hasn’t failed yet. So when Craig hires her to find him the perfect condo for him and his son, Ada is up for the challenge. What she may not be prepared for is her unforeseen attraction to Craig, her immediate attachment to his nine-year-old son, and her heart telling her that it’s okay to take another chance.

My Review

I'm seriously addicted to these novella collections. I love reading them in between longer books and especially on busy days to get a quick fix. I enjoyed all these stories equally and the California setting was definitely close to home! The first one by Heather Moore was even set at a beach we go to frequently throughout the year and especially in the summer. It is impressive that the characters and plot are introduced quickly but in a way that doesn't feel rushed. It was easy to connect with the emotions of the main characters and even though the stories are often wrapped up before I'm ready for them to end, they are a pleasure to escape with :)

(Thank you to Ebooks For Review for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)